Underwater pipeline connection

ABSTRACT

In an underwater pipeline connection system, a pair of swivelably interconnected pipes, supported in angular relation above the ends of a pair of pipeline sections, are provided with swivel connection members mounted on the free ends thereof which are adapted to be operably connected with taunt wire lines for guiding the swivel members and pipes from remote locations to positions adjacent the ends of said pipelines, actuator members connected between said swivels and said wires are adapted to move said pipes towards an aligned configuration when the swivels are thus positioned, thereby moving the swivels into engagement with the pipeline ends to form a completed connection therebetween.

United States Patent Welch, Jr. et al. [451 Apr. 25, 1972 UNDERWATERPIPELINE [56] References Cited CONNECTION UNITED STATES PATENTS [72]Inventors: Robert W. Welch, Jr., Columbus, Ohio; 486,986 11/ 1892Schinke ..6l/72.3 X George H. Bolton, New York, N.Y.; John 3,352,35611/1967 Wakefield P. Oliver; Alfred W. Wedel, both of 3,431,739 3/1969Richardson et al. ..6l/72.3 X Houston, Tex. 3,515,414 6/1970 Kowalewski..285/261 X Appl. No.: 31,257

u.s. Cl ..285/24, 29/237, 61/723,

166/06, 285/31, 285/168 Int. Cl ..Fl6135/00 Field of Search ..285/l68,31, 24, 27, 325, 18,

Primary Examiner-Dave W. Arola Attorney-Curtis, Morris and Safford [5 7]ABSTRACT In an underwater pipeline connection system, a pair ofswivelably interconnected pipes, supported in angular relation above theends of a pair of pipeline sections, are provided with swivel connectionmembers mounted on the free ends thereof which are adapted to beoperably connected with taunt wire lines for guiding the swivel membersand pipes from remote locations to positions adjacent the ends of saidpipelines, actuator members connected between said swivels and saidwires are adapted to move said pipes towards an aligned configurationwhen the swivels are thus positioned, thereby moving the swivels intoengagement with the pipeline ends to form a completed connectiontherebetween.

17 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATiNTEnAPnzslszz 3,658,366 sum 1 GF 2INVENIURS ROBERT w WELCH, Jr GEORGE H. BOLTON BY, JOHN I? ouvzn ALFREDw. WEDEL kw :MW

At ornevs PATENTEDAPRZS I972 3, 658 366 SHEET 1 [IF 2 l N VEN'I 'ORSROBERT W. WELCH, Jr GEORGE H. BOLTON BY JOHN F. OLIVER ALFRED W. WEDELAt omeva UNDERWATER PIPELINE CONNECTION This invention relates generallyto underwater pipeline connections, and more particularly, to a methodand apparatus for interconnecting the spaced free ends of a pair of insitu pipeline sections.

Underwater pipeline connections of the above type have previously beenproposed for a variety of underwater pipeline applications, such as, inconnecting a pipeline to the riser of offshore oil and gas drillingplatforms, or for replacing broken sections of pipeline. Typically, thepreviously proposed connections require extensive diver operations andremoval of the pipeline ends from the ocean floor for welding on boardspecially designed and equipped barges. More specifically, one knownmethod of joining the riser pipeline of an offshore drilling platform tothe shore-directed pipeline involves a series of steps wherein the riseris initially secured to the platform structure with its free end on theocean bottom and the pipeline is initially laid to a point beyond theplatform so as to overlap the riser end to which the pipeline is to beconnected. At this point a diver is sent to the bottom to determine thepoint on the pipeline to be connected to the riser and to mark the pipefor cutting and welding. The diver generally makes this determination bymerely sighting an approximate point on the pipeline at which theconnection is to be made. On completion of this highly inaccurateeyeball" operation the pipe and riser are lifted to a speciallyconstructed barge where the pipeline is cut in accordance with thedivers mark. The ends of the pipeline and riser are thence welded andreturned to the ocean bottom where divers must be present to properlyseat and secure the riser to the platform.

Pipeline connection systems of this type are also used to interconnectan underwater pipeline with a main header line or to repair and replacea broken section of pipeline. However, the system is expensive and ishindered by the accuracy of the divers measurement. Moreover, in thecase of pipeline connection with a riser pipe, the pipeline is often cutlonger than is required so that slack in the pipeline must be taken upat the platform; this causes the riser to move or bend to compensate forthe excess length, thereby rupturing the riser clamps on the wellstructure or the riser support platforms and creating excess stresses inthe riser pipe and the pipeline itself which weaken the structurethereof and cause relatively rapid pipe failures. Moreover, theseoperations are expensive, due to the excess time the pipe handlingequipment and divers must remain at the connection site in order toperform the repetitive pipe lifting and placement steps. When theseoperations are performed in deep waters, it has been found that theywill generally take from 3 to 5 days to complete.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to interconnectunderwater pipeline ends in a relatively rapid and automatic operation.Another object of the invention is to automatically connect pipelineends by a substantially remotely controlled process. A further object ofthe invention is to provide a relatively inexpensive and simplyconstructed underwater pipeline connection.

In accordance with an aspect of this invention, a pair of pipes areswivelably interconnected and held in an angular relation in an invertedV configuration above the free ends of the pipeline sections which areto be interconnected. The free ends of each of the articulated pipes areprovided with a swivel connector, and the distance between theconnectors when the pipes are held in this angular relation is less thanthe distance between the pipeline ends. Taunt wire guidelines areoperably connected to each of the end swivel connectors to guide theconnectors to positions opposite the ends of the pipelines and tomaintain the swivels in accurate alignment therewith. Hydraulic actuatormembers are operably connected between the end swivel connectors and theguidelines for moving the pipes towards an aligned configuration wherebythe distance between the swivel connectors is increased and their stubassociated adjacent pipeline.

The construction of an underwater pipeline connection in this manner,and in accordance with this invention eliminates the costly installationbarges time and diver time required in the prior art devices. Moreover,the present invention permits the interconnection of underwaterpipelines to be completed on the ocean bottom with minimal diversupervision and in a substantially remotely controlled process which canbe completed in less than eight hours even in deep water operations. IThe above, and other objects, features, and advantages of thisinvention, will be apparent in the following detailed description of theillustrative embodiment of this invention which is to be read inconnection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of an underwater pipeline connectionapparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention, prior tocompletion of the pipeline connection;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a side view similar to FIG. 1 of the pipeline connectionapparatus in full form.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and initially to F IG. 1thereof, it will be seen that the underwater pipeline connectionapparatus of the present invention, comprises an articulated pipeline 10which is supported above a pair of pipeline sections 12 and 14 which areto be interconnected thereby. In the embodiment illustrated, pipeline 12comprises the base connection of a riser pipe 13 which is secured bybrackets 15 to an offshore drilling platform P whereas pipeline 14constitutes a header pipe for conveying oil or gas from platform P to ashore-based installation. The free ends 16 and 17 respectively, ofpipelines l2 and 14 are supported in a relatively fixed spaced relationon the ocean floor by platforms l8 and 19, each of which include supportbrackets 21 for retaining their associated pipes thereon. It is notedthat while a riser connection system is described and illustratedherein, it is foreseen that the underwater pipeline connection system ofthe present invention is equally well adapted for use in interconnectingan underwater pipeline with a side valve connection in a main headerpipeline or for replacing an intermediate section of a previously laidpipeline, to repair a break therein.

Articulated pipeline connector 10 is formed by a pair of pipes 20 and 22having substantially the same diameter as pipes 12 and 14 respectively.Pipes 20 and 22 are swivelably interconnected at their ends 24 and 26respectively by double swivel member 28 which is of known construction.In one embodiment found suitable for use in the present invention, aswivel 28 is utilized which permits pipes 20 and 22 to move with respectto the horizontal swivel axis at angles up to 10. Hereinafter, swivel 28is referred to as either a double or a 20 swivel member since the totaldifferential displacement between pipes 20 and 22 obtainable with thisswivel will be 20.

The opposed ends 30 and 32 respectively of pipes 20 and 22, are providedwith single swivels 34 and 36, respectively, each of which has anoutwardly extending rigid stub pipe 37 secured therein. Swivels 34 and36 may permit any desired degree of pipe movement, however, it has beenfound that 10 swivels are suitable for use with the central 20 swivel28; these swivels limit their associated pipes to movement about thehorizontal swivel axis to angles of up to 10.

Stub pipes 37 in swivels 34 and 36 are provided with female connectors38 and 40 respectively, which are adapted to receive male connectors orends 42 and 44 respectively of pipelines l2 and 14, when connector 10 ismoved into position adjacent these ends (note FIG. 3).

As seen in FIG. 1, articulated connector 10 is held in position aboveand between ends 42 and 44 of pipelines 12 and 14 by support member 46,which is, in turn, supported above the ocean floor from a crane orsimilar device mounted on an adjacent barge (not shown) by cables 47.Member 46 is provided with a plurality of connecting lines 48 and 50 onits lower surface which suspend connection pipeline below the supportmember. Connecting line 48 supports double swivel 28 in a verticaloffset relation with respect to swivel assemblies 34 and 36. The latterare suspended from member 46 by lines 50 through swivels 34 and 36 andactuator and guide assemblies 52 which are more fully describedhereinafter. Connecting lines 48 and 50 are formed in predeterminedlengths to maintain the relative positions of the pipes and swivels,which constitute articulated pipeline 10, in an angular or inverted V-shaped configuration above pipeline ends 42 and 44. In thisconfiguration, the distance between female connectors 38 and 40 issomewhat less than the distance between pipe ends 42 and 44 so that uponlowering, pipeline 10 will readily fit between these ends.

Pipeline 10 is lowered into position between ends 42 and 44 by loweringmember 46 from the barge towards the ocean floor by means of cables 47.Member 46 maintains the alignment and configuration of the pipelinecomponents during this lowering operation.

To assist in lowering pipeline 10 into position for connection withpipeline ends 42 and 44, an actuator and guide assembly 52 is providedon each of the female connectors 38 and 40. Members 52 are illustrateddiagrammatically in FIG. 2 and include a pair of arms 54 removablymounted at one end to female connector 38, and having guide collars 56at the free ends thereof. Collars 56 are adapted to slide on taunt wireguidelines 58 which are fixed to platforms 18 and 19, respectively, atlocations behind ends 42 and 44, as seen in FIG. 1. In one embodimenttaunt wire guidelines 58 are maintained in a relatively rigid verticalconfiguration by cranes or other support structure mounted on the barge;however, it is foreseen that wires 58 may be similarly held in avertical position by buoys. It is noted that crane supported taunt linesare particularly useful where adverse wind and weather conditions wouldtend to sway buoy supported lines.

The lower ends 62 of wires 58 are fixed to platforms l8 and 19 by collarguides 64 which are rigid cylindrical members having tapered endportions 66. The inside diameter of guide collar 56 is substantially thesame as the outside diameter of collar guides 64 so that as connector 10is lowered into position between pipe ends 42 and 44, collars 56 areguided by tapered portions 66 onto collar guides 64 to align femaleconnectors 38 and 40 with their associated pipeline ends. Platforms 18and 19 are provided with swiveljoint seats 68 and 70 respectively, whichconstitute saddle members adapted to receive swivels 34 and 36 andprovide support therefore. Moreover, the saddle portion or interiortrough surface 72 of members 68 and 70 provide an additional guidemechanism which cooperates with collar guides 64 to provide a threepointalignment system to assure accurate positioning of female connectors 38and 40 in aligned spaced relation with pipe ends 42 and 44 respectively.

Referring again to FIG. 2, wherein swivel 34 is illustrated, forclarity, in an offset position from platform 18, it is seen thatactuator arms 54 constitute a pair of hydraulic cylinders or rams havingpiston rods 74 which carry collars 56 at the free ends thereof. Whenpipeline 10 is lowered into the desired position on platforms l8 and 19between ends 42 and 44, cylinders or rams 54 are actuated to draw femaleconnectors 38 and 40 towards their associated pipeline ends. Duringmovement of female connectors 38 and 40, proper alignment is maintainedby the connection of collars 56 with collar guides 64 and is furtherassured by the maintenance of swivels 34 and 36 within saddle portions68 and 70 which guide the swivel along a straight line. As the rams 54are compressed the pipes and 22 are permitted to move towards axialalignment by swivels 28, 34 and 36 so that the distance between femaleconnectors 38 and 40 is increased and the female connectors are engagedwith pipe ends 42 and 44 to form the desired connection. It is notedthat female connectors 38 and 40 and pipe ends 42 and 44 are providedwith known pipe sealing mechanisms to form a fluid and gas tight sealtherebetween, however, this mechanism forms no part of the presentinvention and therefore is not shown in the drawings.

In a typical pipeline laying operation contemplating the use of thepresent invention, the pipelines 12 and 14 are laid underwater in anyconventional manner, and are stabilized on the bottom by platforms 18and 19 respectively. It is noted, these platforms need not be at thesame vertical elevation, nor need they be in horizontal alignment sincethe swivels will, within the limits thereof, compensate for thenon-alignment of these pipe ends during and after the connectingoperation. Thus, much of the time and expense of prior pipe layingoperations is avoided and substantially less diver time is required.Once pipeline ends 42 and 44 are securely positioned within brackets 21on their associated platforms, a measurement is taken of the straightline distance between predetermined points on saddles 68 and 70 in anyknown manner, which measurement is then used to determine the lengthsrequired for pipes 20 and 22 in order to assure connection between ends42 and 44. Articulated pipeline 10 may thence be completely fabricatedat a shore-based assembly plant on an on-site barge. After assembly,pipeline 10 is suspended above the pipelines 12 and 14 by support member46 and connecting lines 48 and 50. Support member 46 is then loweredbeneath the ocean surface to position pipeline 10 between pipeline ends42 and 44. It is noted that the ends of pipeline 10 may be sealed by anyof the conventional removable sealing systems available in the art toprevent entrance of sea water therein during the connecting operation.

During the lowering operation, pipeline 10 is guided to exact alignmentwith the ends 42 and 44 by taunt lines 58 and guides 56. Once singleswivels 34 and 36 are seated in their associated seats 68 and 70respectively, pistons 54 are actuated to draw female connectors 38 and40 into engagement with pipeline ends 42 and 44 respectively. Femaleconnectors 38 and 40 and pipe ends 42 and 44, as mentioned above, arepro vided with sealing systems to insure a leak-proof joint between thepipelines and articulated pipeline 10. It is foreseen that the operationof actuators 52 may be provided by a completely remotely controlledsystem, or alternatively, a diver may conveniently be sent down to theocean bottom to observe the connection operation and to manually actuaterams 54 upon seating of swivels 34 and 36 in their associated supportsor saddles 68 and 70. It is thus seen that a relatively simple andinexpensive method and apparatus is provided for joining pipeline endsunderwater in a convenient and rapid operation which requires minimaldiver time or control for the operation thereof.

While the above embodiment of the present invention has been describedherein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to that precise embodiment,and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein byone skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit ofthis invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An articulated pipeline assembly for interconnecting the spaced endsof two pipelines and an assembly support means holding said assembly ina generally inverted V-shaped configuration while the ends of theassembly are guided to positions adjacent the respective pipeline ends,said assembly comprising a pair of pipe sections each of which has firstand second end portions, swivel means for interconnecting said first endportions of said pipe sections, said swivel means being located at theapex of said V when said assembly is held in said inverted configurationby said support means, and two connecting units mounted respectively oneach of said second end portions for connecting each of said second endportions to an associated one of said, spaced pipeline ends, said swivelmeans being adapted to allow variation in the angular relation betweensaid pipe sections to thereby vary the distance between said connectingunits whereby said assembly is supported in said inverted V-shapedconfiguration between said pipeline ends by said support means and thenextended to join the ends of said pipe sections with said pipeline ends.

2. An articulated pipeline assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein saidconnecting units comprise swivel means.

3. An articulated pipeline section as defined in claim 1 wherein saidmeans swivelably interconnecting said pipe first end portions comprises,a double swivel connecting member adapted to limit each of said pipes toa displacement about its swivel axis whereby a total differentialdisplacement of up to 20 is obtainable between said pipes.

4. Apparatus for interconnecting two spaced pipeline connections,comprising, a pair of pipe sections each of which has first and secondend portions, means for swivelably interconnecting said first endportions, two connecting units mounted respectively upon said second endportions for connecting each of said second end portions to a respectiveone of said spaced pipeline connections, means supporting said pipesections in a generally V-shaped configuration wherein said means forswivelably interconnecting said pipe sections is located at the apex ofsaid V, and means for moving said pipes towards an aligned configurationto increase the distance between said connecting units for connectionthereof to said respective pipeline connections.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said means for moving saidpipes comprises means adapted to be connected between each of saidconnecting units and its associated pipeline end for moving saidconnecting units towards said pipeline ends.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 including means for guiding saidconnecting units to positions opposite their associated pipeline ends.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said guiding means comprises,a plurality of taunt wire guidelines operably engaged with each of saidconnecting units and their associated pipeline ends.

8. Apparatus for interconnecting the spaced ends of a pair of pipelinesections comprising, a pair of pipe sections having first and second endportions, a double swivel member interconnecting the first end portionsof each of said pipe sections, a single swivel member mounted on each ofsaid second end portions for connecting an individual second end portionto a respective one of said spaced pipeline ends, means supporting saidpipe sections and said swivels in a generally V-shaped configurationwherein said double swivel is located at the apex of said V, means forguiding each of said second end portions and said single swivels topositions opposite a respective one of said spaced pipeline ends, andmeans for moving said pipes towards an aligned configuration wherebysaid pipes move in said swivels with respect to each other to increasethe distance between said single swivels for connection thereof to saidrespective pipeline ends.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said guide means comprises anindividual support platform fixed to each of said pipeline free endportions and a plurality of taunt wire guidelines fixed to each of saidplatforms and operably connected to said single swivels to guide saidswivels and said second end portions to positions opposite said pipelineends.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said moving means comprises,means operably connected between said swivels and said taunt lines forurging said swivels into engagement with their respective pipeline endwhereby said pipes are moved towards an aligned position.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said double swivel member isa 20 swivel. I

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said single swivel membersare 10 swivels.

13. The method of interconnecting two spaced pipeline connectionscomprising, the steps of, swivelably interconnecting a pair of pipeshaving connecting members on the free ends thereof, holding said pipesin an angular relation about said swivel connection, positioning each ofsaid connecting members adjacent a respective one of said spacedpipeline connections and moving said pipes towards an alignedconfiguration whereby said connecting members are moved into engagementwith said respective pipeline connections.

14. The method of interconnecting the spaced ends of a pair of ipelinesections by means of an articulated pipeline section ll'lC uding a pairof swivelably interconnected pipes having connecting members mounted ontheir free ends, said method comprising, the steps of, holding saidpipes in an angular relation about said swivel interconnection,positioning each of said connecting members adjacent a respective one ofsaid spaced pipeline ends, and moving said pipes towards an alignedconfiguration whereby the distance between said connecting members isincreased and said members are moved into engagement with saidrespective pipeline ends.

15. The method as defined in claim 14 wherein said step of positioningincludes the step of guiding said articulated pipeline section frompositions remote from said pipeline sections to positions adjacent saidspaced pipeline ends.

16. The method as defined in claim 15 wherein said step of guidingcomprises the step of, moving said connecting members along a pluralityof taunt wire guidelines.

17. The method as defined in claim 16 wherein said step of movingcomprises the steps of, operably engaging said connecting members andsaid guidelines and moving said connecting members with respect to saidguidelines whereby said connection members are engaged with saidrespective pipeline ends.

1. An articulated pipeline assembly for interconnecting the spaced endsof two pipelines and an assembly support means holding said assembly ina generally inverted V-shaped configuration while the ends of theassembly are guided to positions adjacent the respective pipeline ends,said assembly comprising a pair of pipe sections each of which has firstand second end portions, swivel means for interconnecting said first endportions of said pipe sections, said swivel means being located at theapex of said V when said assembly is held in said inverted configurationby said support means, and two connecting units mounted respectively oneach of said second end portions for connecting each of said second endportions to an associated one of said, spaced pipeline ends, said swivelmeans being adapted to allow variation in the angular relation betweensaid pipe sections to thereby vary the distance between said connectingunits whereby said assembly is supported in said inverted V-shapedconfiguration between said pipeline ends by said support means and thenextended to join the ends of said pipe sections with said pipeline ends.2. An articulated pipeline assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein saidconnecting units comprise swivel means.
 3. An articulated pipelinesection as defined in claim 1 wherein said means swivelablyinterconnecting said pipe first end portions comprises, a double swivelconnecting member adapted to limit each of said pipes to a 10*displacement about its swivel axis whereby a total differentialdisplacement of up to 20* is obtainable between said pipes.
 4. Apparatusfor interconnecting two spaced pipeline connections, comprising, a pairof pipe sections each of which has first and second end portions, meansfor swivelably interconnecting said first end portions, two connectingunits mounted respectively upon said second end portions for connectingeach of said second end portions to a respective one of said spacedpipeline connections, means supporting said pipe sections in a generallyV-shaped configuration wherein said means for swivelably interconnectingsaid pipe sections is located at the apex of said V, and means formoving said pipes towards an aligned configuration to increase thedistance between said connecting units for connection thereof to saidrespective pipeline connections.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4,wherein said means for moving said pipes comprises means adapted to beconnected between each of said connecting units and its associatedpipeline end for moving said connecting units towards said pipelineends.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 including means for guidIngsaid connecting units to positions opposite their associated pipelineends.
 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said guiding meanscomprises, a plurality of taunt wire guidelines operably engaged witheach of said connecting units and their associated pipeline ends. 8.Apparatus for interconnecting the spaced ends of a pair of pipelinesections comprising, a pair of pipe sections having first and second endportions, a double swivel member interconnecting the first end portionsof each of said pipe sections, a single swivel member mounted on each ofsaid second end portions for connecting an individual second end portionto a respective one of said spaced pipeline ends, means supporting saidpipe sections and said swivels in a generally V-shaped configurationwherein said double swivel is located at the apex of said V, means forguiding each of said second end portions and said single swivels topositions opposite a respective one of said spaced pipeline ends, andmeans for moving said pipes towards an aligned configuration wherebysaid pipes move in said swivels with respect to each other to increasethe distance between said single swivels for connection thereof to saidrespective pipeline ends.
 9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 whereinsaid guide means comprises an individual support platform fixed to eachof said pipeline free end portions and a plurality of taunt wireguidelines fixed to each of said platforms and operably connected tosaid single swivels to guide said swivels and said second end portionsto positions opposite said pipeline ends.
 10. Apparatus as defined inclaim 9 wherein said moving means comprises, means operably connectedbetween said swivels and said taunt lines for urging said swivels intoengagement with their respective pipeline end whereby said pipes aremoved towards an aligned position.
 11. Apparatus as defined in claim 8wherein said double swivel member is a 20* swivel.
 12. Apparatus asdefined in claim 11 wherein said single swivel members are 10* swivels.13. The method of interconnecting two spaced pipeline connectionscomprising, the steps of, swivelably interconnecting a pair of pipeshaving connecting members on the free ends thereof, holding said pipesin an angular relation about said swivel connection, positioning each ofsaid connecting members adjacent a respective one of said spacedpipeline connections and moving said pipes towards an alignedconfiguration whereby said connecting members are moved into engagementwith said respective pipeline connections.
 14. The method ofinterconnecting the spaced ends of a pair of pipeline sections by meansof an articulated pipeline section including a pair of swivelablyinterconnected pipes having connecting members mounted on their freeends, said method comprising, the steps of, holding said pipes in anangular relation about said swivel interconnection, positioning each ofsaid connecting members adjacent a respective one of said spacedpipeline ends, and moving said pipes towards an aligned configurationwhereby the distance between said connecting members is increased andsaid members are moved into engagement with said respective pipelineends.
 15. The method as defined in claim 14 wherein said step ofpositioning includes the step of guiding said articulated pipelinesection from positions remote from said pipeline sections to positionsadjacent said spaced pipeline ends.
 16. The method as defined in claim15 wherein said step of guiding comprises the step of, moving saidconnecting members along a plurality of taunt wire guidelines.
 17. Themethod as defined in claim 16 wherein said step of moving comprises thesteps of, operably engaging said connecting members and said guidelinesand moving said connecting members with respect to said guidelineswhereby said connection members are engaged with said respectivepipeline ends.